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A recent randomized controlled study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry compared the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to either a CBT treatment group or a short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy treatment group that was based on supportive-expressive therapy. Participants in the CBT group focused on “changing and controlling worrying and catastrophizing anticipations” using CBT strategies such as planning recreational activities, worry exposure, relaxation training, and homework. Participants in the short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy received treatment that focused “on the core conflictual relationship theme associated with the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Emphasis is put on a positive therapeutic alliance.”

The authors found that both CBT and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy were beneficial in improving the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, they found that CBT was superior in reducing trait anxiety, worry, and depression